Oh, I agree. This is what I actually love in the game - with the exception of that e-mail (and I still can't believe Claire is that easy to dupe) - the MC is way more often a pawn in the hands of others. Both his sisters and his mother are easily presented as the ones pushing him forward on the road to corruption.
Ashley is the easy one, I actually wonder how people may think otherwise about her.
Veronica obviously didn't really care about the MC having anything to blackmail her with, she cares if he has the guts for it (and the guts to protect her if needed).
Claire gets duped by a fake e-mail, when she has to be a very competent professional in a leadership role in her firm. I don't buy it. Bait and switch tactics, the constant teasing and the fact she got in to it from what? 3 e-mails with a professional? Yeah... right. Join the yoga... but stay in the back, since - you know, that's where you put the male in the picture.
Damn, I love this game
What's your tip for her?
All you need to know is in the tips, except the dates and a few other things (having to go back to your aunt to unlock the coffee shop for example) and there the walktrough is still accurate.